"Someone's outside," Erin said as she pushed open my door.My brow furrowed. "Who?"I didn’t wait for her answer. I stood up from my bed to see what she was talking about. I've kind of learned how to get by for the past few days. That night, when Erin cried in my arms, that became my awakening. I realized that my life doesn’t revolve around just me.Yes, I wanted to think about myself. But I think I couldn’t bare to see people suffer because of me. I don’t want to give them a hard time just because I gave them a hard time as well."I didn’t open it since it might be someone you know…" She couldn’t continue. We both know what she’s trying to say.Really? Knight would send someone after a month? Why not the day after I bid my goodbye. I came to the door and peered at the peephole.As soon as I saw who was outside, I backed out and my eyes widened. My body turned cold."Why? Who was it? " Erin held my shoulders.The doorbell buzzed again. I acted immediately. I went inside again and took
"Your father won’t give this up, Ms. Collins."They say fate is inevitable. It’s inescapable. No matter how much you want to get away, no matter what you plan to escape, you’ll find yourself heading towards your fate.Right at this moment, I don’t know where I am going. I’m just finding myself walking and walking towards an empty and shallow future."Why? Is he still not cooperating? "Mr. Admir showed an expression of disbelief. I immediately knew the answer. My shoulders fell in disappointment. I want to get mad. But all I felt was the tiredness that was swallowing me whole."How about his health? Is there any progress? "He sighed. "You could talk to his doctor."I avoided his eyes. I don’t feel alright with his tone. I know it’s bad news. We drifted off from the technicalities of the case. Most of it, I don’t understand. Sometimes, when I hear terms that I understand, I butt in some questions that only catch my concern."But there’s a chance that he’ll get out, right?""We could j
Tonight, I’ll do something that I’m going to regret for the rest of my life."What are these for? I thought you were done with this. "Peter handed me the folder. Without a word, I opened it and scanned the profiles of the people I asked about.Sh*t. I’ve met some of them already. After months of being involved with Knight, I’ve already encountered some of these faces.I hurriedly got the pencil and crossed out the faces that were familiar to me. I’m in a hurry. I flipped several pages, ignoring Peter’s words."How about the places? Possible parties? Events? " I asked him while still flipping through the pages of papers."Athena, you’re freaking me out. What’s this all about?"I looked at him seriously. I didn’t know what the right words were to say, so I just stared at him."You’ll do this again?" He uttered it silently.I blinked and avoided his eyes."Fvck. Fvck." He muttered repeatedly.I narrowed my eyes on him. I thought he was just acting that way because he was disappointed. B
Peter:Mr. Carter? The Andersons? No. No. Tell me this is not what I think it is, Athena.I ignored all of Peter’s messages to me. I declined all his calls and decided to just turn my phone off while going the way of my own misery.It does not help. He definitely wants to stop me. I'm good at this, so he must have an idea of what plan I’m materializing tonight.We stayed in this one room full of bachelors and other ladies as well, but only a few of them.The two Anderson men were crowding over me. As the night deepened, I wasn’t able to count my shots already. My head started to spin as I gulped more liquid that would make me lose my consciousness, or if not my consciousness, then lose myself.Taking those alcoholic beverages was not my own form of having fun. I may look normal on the outside, flirting with both of them, but I don’t think I'm in my right mind still.Around midnight, I already felt my strength leaving me. I could feel their lips on my skin from time to time as they co
The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was Erin and Peter’s faces. I feel weak. It was as if a powerful force had manifested itself on me before I went to sleep.I couldn’t remember a thing that had happened last night, but..."She’s awake. Athena, " Erin called me. Her eyes were puffy.She walked beside the bed and held my hand softly."How are you feeling? Can you remember a thing? " She asked wearily."Stop Erin. Give her time to adjust. " Peter, who’s standing beside the bed, I looked at him, and his eyes were full of resentment."I-I…I had a weird dream." No voice almost came out of me. My throat felt dry."Why? What is it? " Erin asked me while Peter walked somewhere.I sighed, contemplating things. My mind was still blurry and so were the memories I had. It seems like I’ve slept for a long period of time for me to feel this weak."I’ll call the doctor."I glanced at Peter, who handed me a glass of water. He’s eyeing me strongly. I didn’t dare ask him any questions.Erin kep
I had to get my own attorney for the case. It’s easy, I am in fact innocent because of my statement. Of course, I had to leave some information that would send me to jail.I could file a case against them, and that’s what the attorney suggested to me. Peter was strong in convincing me that I should do it to get the compensation, whereas Erin was convincing me to do it so I could get the justice that I wanted.Exhaustion. That’s what I’m feeling. I have to make a decision that will disappoint everybody. I decided to not file a case against them."What? What do you mean you’re not filing a case? " Peter exclaimed."Peter, don’t get this started." Erin warned him.I’m discharged today. I’m all fine now, though I think I’m not fine on the inside. They couldn’t talk to me for days of my stay here. I only talked to the lawyer, but the rest of the time, I kept my mouth shut."I know you’re feeling guilty, but that’s the least compensation you could get." Peter sounded a bit desperate."It is
What? Who’s courting whom?I kept all my questions to myself. I eyed them cautiously as they were both whispering things to each other while seated on the couch. I was brewing my coffee in the kitchen, and I couldn’t eavesdrop on their conversation.They were so close to each other. Lucas’ hand was on Erin’s waist while his lips were on her ears, whispering things. Erin looks flushed and annoyed at the same time. I shut my eyes and shook my head.I’m not used to seeing Erin this way. I've grown accustomed to seeing her with a motherly instinct for the entire time I've known her. Yes, she’s pretty, but she’s aloof when it comes to guys. There were times when I needed to fix her up on some blind date, but she showed no interest.And now, she’s hooking up with Lucas, Knight’s friend. Of course, it's a big question for me. Like how? What did I miss?"So, uhm, when did you guys started?" I cleared my throat and sat down on the single couch.While Lucas looked serious while looking at me, E
In the board game, chess. There are these two valuable pieces. That King and the Queen. These significant pieces are the powerful ones and the center of attention that they always have to protect. The King, as a gentleman, would always give his way to the Queen and let her stand in her own color.But behind it all, there’s this piece that is more valuable. The Rook. The rook contributes a lot when it comes to supporting the advancement of your pawns. And in the end, it does an effective job of cutting the opponent’s king in action.I couldn't look my father in the eyes and say, "I'm sorry."He touched my hand and caressed it. "You don’t have to go this far for me, honey. I am fine here. I’m fine as long as I have your forgiveness. ""You need your treatment, not just provision." I answered.He smiled just like an old man would do. "I’ve lived long. And of all the things I have done in this world, you are the only one that’s left unsettled. Now that I know you’ve understood, I’m ready